2023: The Curse at Alton Manor

[James]

I doubt adding a closed preshow and removing a few cars would impact on queues incredibly. It's not like the queue is an unbearable one, either. It even has some nice scenery and effects.

 

[Benzin]

Never thought I'd see the day where enthusiasts are genuinely suggesting a park deliberately lower throughput of one of their attractions.

 

[George W]

Never thought I'd see the day where enthusiasts are genuinely suggesting a park deliberately lower throughput of one of their attractions.

Most people on here are in favour of wicker mans preshow because it enhances the experience especially for first timers even though that can decrease capacity and can even make running 3 trains pointless at times

 

[AT86]

It is an attraction that rewards re-rides. If you miss something first, second or third time then it is just something new to see on the forth, be that whilst seated or walking through the queue.

 

[Zeock]

It is an attraction that rewards re-rides. If you miss something the first, second or third time then it is just something new to see on the fourth, be that whilst seated or walking through the queue.

Definitely. I have seen something new most times that I have ridden this.

 

[Ash]

I'm surprised they never batched the preshow. At the moment, it doesn't work well on a loop, as you either see the whole show, miss it completely, or only see a part of it.

Given it's a story-based ride with a narrative throughout, it would make sense to batch the preshow.

I hope it's something Towers/MMM could explore over the closed season. It would require some work, but I think it would work far better than the current setup.

For the sake of some tweaking to the AV, and a few evenings work installing “start preshow” button, this should be reasonably straight forward. Logistically it’s more difficult as AT will rightly want to keep staffing to a minimum, could you do it with one host? Counting in say 30 people, then asking them to wait before entering the station. Shutting the front door and then starting the show? At the end telling them to
continue?

More elaborate would be with 2 ops, or using CCTV and automatic doors akin to wickerman, but there’s certainly a cheaper way if the will was there to do it. With it returning to automatic during quieter days. The opening of the doors would add some theatrics to the whole affair

 

[coasterverse]

Lowering The Curse's capacity would have next to no observable impact whatsoever - every time i've been it's been a walk on with hardly anybody in sight. Hell, I went a couple of weeks after it opened and had TWO rides were I was the only person in the ride vehicle, with nobody infront or behind me.

I think having the preshow be a thing that is done in batches is a great idea. The times I have been and there's been people behind me, I always feel awkward standing on the ramp watching the preshow when it's evident that the majority of the people don't know what's going on and just continue walking through to the loading area - so I have always felt pressured to just continue walking.

The park do have throughput issues for sure - but The Curse is such an absolute monster of eating through those queues that there's so much you could do with the ride before it would even begin to make a noticiable impact on throughput.

I think halving the number of carriages would be a good idea to maintain good spacing (because seeing other people definitely does break immersion, most noticably for me is by the trommel and the garden scene) and batch the preshow. Worst case scenario, i'd imagine it would start pulling 10-15 minute queues - which in hindsight across the entire park is still by far one of the best throughputs on park.

I also guarantee that if guests were forced to watch the preshow each time, it would make them appreciate the ride so much more.

 

[rob666]

Personally, I could guarantee it wouldn't.
I just want the sheltered seat in the dark, not a compulsory preshow stood waiting in line...

 

[James]

For the sake of some tweaking to the AV and a few evenings work installing “start preshow” button, this should be reasonably straight forward. Logistically it’s more difficult as AT will rightly want to keep staffing to a minimum, could you do it with one host? Counting in say 30 people, then asking them to wait before entering the station. Shutting the front door and then starting the show? At the end telling them to
continue?

More elaborate would be with 2 ops, or using CCTV and automatic doors akin to wickerman, but there’s certainly a cheaper way if the will was there to do it. With it returning to automatic during quieter days. The opening of the doors would add some theatrics to the whole affair

If they did it cheaply you could have CCTV so that the station/platform staff could view the room and close/open the doors on that side as appropriate. Then the batcher manages the doors entering the house. Could run with 1 member of staff theoretically (batching, starting preshow, managing entrance doors).

A Wicker Man setup would be better though.

 

[The_bup]

Also that would require a hell of a lot more revision of the drawing room. The people who go in first probably won’t even see the dolls house. They might as well wake the room level

 

[Dave]

Never thought I'd see the day where enthusiasts are genuinely suggesting a park deliberately lower throughput of one of their attractions.

There is nothing wrong with a reasonable queue. 20min in the right thematic queue can add to the experience rather than distract.

 

[rob666]

Depending on your ability to stand still for twenty minutes comfortably...not very inclusive.
A needless queue remains a needless queue, why wait 20 minutes if there is a walk on alternative?
I personally would prefer the walk straight on option with my mobility issues thank you...no decent monorail service, no skyride, I will need my sit down urgently, not after a pointless wait..

 

[tayspru]

Depending on your ability to stand still for twenty minutes comfortably...not very inclusive.
A needless queue remains a needless queue, why wait 20 minutes if there is a walk on alternative?
I personally would prefer the walk straight on option with my mobility issues thank you...no decent monorail service, no skyride, I will need my sit down urgently, not after a pointless wait..

Literally what RAP is for

 

[coasterverse]

Personally, I could guarantee it wouldn't.
I just want the sheltered seat in the dark, not a compulsory preshow stood waiting in line...

That's only because you've been given the option of not having to watch it fully previously Other rides and attractions where you're not given that option, people don't complain because it's just part of the ride experience.

 

[lee2804]

I do think they should have made it so everyone watches the preshow as it dlfeels awkward standing on the ramp as ppl try to squeeze by.

As has been said previously it would give a lot of context to whats happening in the ride.

 

[Dave]

Depending on your ability to stand still for twenty minutes comfortably...not very inclusive.
A needless queue remains a needless queue, why wait 20 minutes if there is a walk on alternative?
I personally would prefer the walk straight on option with my mobility issues thank you...no decent monorail service, no skyride, I will need my sit down urgently, not after a pointless wait..

As already mentioned the park has solutions for the problem you have just raised.

 

[rob666]

What are the park solutions to the poor monorail service and no skyride, as part of the problem I have raised?
To clarify, if I have a choice between a Curse preshow that delays my ride for 20 minutes, or just walk through and walk on, I would prefer no wait...as I have dodgy joints...and I'm sure I am not alone in that choice.

 

[coasterverse]

What are the park solutions to the poor monorail service and no skyride, as part of the problem I have raised?
To clarify, if I have a choice between a Curse preshow that delays my ride for 20 minutes, or just walk through and walk on, I would prefer no wait...as I have dodgy joints...and I'm sure I am not alone in that choice.

Yeah but it's not about being given a choice - what I am saying is that the reason why you are opposed to a compulsory preshow is because the attraction has always had an optional preshow. If it had been a compulsory viewing from the outset you wouldn't have this view because you would just class it to be just part of the experience.

You've got the RAP to skip the queue and i'm sure there could be exceptions to the preshow for those with severe mobility issues - the same as most compulsory preshows in attractions all over the planet.

Sure, like most attractions with preshows after a while it'd get a little tedious, but it would be a good thing on a wider scope because it would actually set the scene for the ride - a lot of people say the ride narrative is confusing or lacks cohesion, but most of these complaints would be solved had the individuals actually watched the preshow. It sets the tone.

 

[rob666]

The reason I am opposed to a compulsory preshow is simply because I don't like them, full stop.
All opinions are sacred, I don't like preshows.
Simple as that.
Tedious is correct...as is needless.
Sick to death of the wicker one, but I tolerate it with patience to get a nice woodie in.
It is a bit claustrophobic, and all those thoosie vapours can be unhealthy.
Don't mind Hex with first timers, otherwise skip please, if I have the option.

 

[Dave]

What are the park solutions to the poor monorail service and no skyride, as part of the problem I have raised?
To clarify, if I have a choice between a Curse preshow that delays my ride for 20 minutes, or just walk through and walk on, I would prefer no wait...as I have dodgy joints...and I'm sure I am not alone in that choice.

The monorail and Skyride are different issues. I agree they need sorting.